# Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine

> A small mountain shrine in southern Aso reached by a stone stairway lined with 97 moss-covered lanterns, with a huge rock pierced by a hole of more than 10 meters above the hall.

- Prefecture: Kumamoto
- Type: Shrine
- Address: Takamori, Kumamoto, Japan
- Official site: https://www.town.kumamoto-takamori.lg.jp/site/kanko/1951.html

Ninety-seven stone lanterns line the stairway up from the road, each one furred with moss, and the cedars close overhead so thickly that the approach stays dim even at noon. It is quiet here, apart from cameras. The shrine drew attention as a setting for the anime film Hotarubi no Mori e, and on weekend afternoons the small free car park fills up. Past the modest hall, a steeper path climbs to Ugeto Rock, a wall of stone with an opening more than 10 meters high and wide; legend says the demon Kihachi kicked it through while fleeing the god of Aso. The steps are mossy and slick, worse after rain, so wear shoes with grip and allow the better part of an hour for the round trip. Getting here without a car is the hard part. The nearest station, Takamori on the Minami-Aso Railway, is about 10 minutes away by car, and the only bus runs on weekdays, a few times a day.

## FAQ

### Can I reach Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine by public transport on a weekend?

Only partly. You can take the Minami-Aso Railway to Takamori Station, but the bus from there to the shrine runs on weekdays only. On weekends and holidays, plan on a taxi from Takamori, about 10 minutes, or drive.

### How hard is the walk to Ugeto Rock?

It is short but steep. The stone steps and the path above the hall are covered in moss and get slippery, especially after rain, so wear shoes with good grip and allow close to an hour for the round trip.

### Is there parking at the shrine?

Yes, there is a small free car park by the entrance. It fills up on weekend afternoons, so a weekday or early morning visit is easier.

---
Source: Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine — Japan Voyage